PROBLEM: Nyumbani Village needed a sustainable fuel source that could replace expensive fossil fuels while providing biomass and cooking oil for the village.

SOLUTION: Increase Nyumbani village’s sunflower harvest to extract oil for cooking, packaging and selling. Use the savings and income generated to invest in technologies which will turn the sunflowers’ biomass into usable biodiesel to run the village’s water and power generators.

ACTION:

Assign 48.5 acres in which to grow 1,162,800 sunflower plants (approx. 24,000 sunflower plants per acre) which will produce 32,300 liters of sunflower oil required in the village per year.

Train and teach families to plant, harvest and press sunflower seeds for much needed wages, financial stability and cooking oil.

The village is reducing its dependence on expensive fuels and cooking oils with a self-reliant and sustainable solution for generations to come.

PROBLEM: Many orphans in the area left behind after losing their parents to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

SOLUTION: Nandi Village now provides a family-like setting for orphaned children under the stewardship of care takers to ensure that the children receive love, sustenance, health-care, holistic education and culture transfer.

ACTION:

Secured funding to construct homes and a public school for the orphaned children. School revenue now funds living expenses while allowing for future expansion.

Performed community outreach to ensure community involvement and support.

EXIT: Implemented long term sustainability solution with the revenue-generating public school model.

PROBLEM: Thousands of orphans and elders were left behind after losing their parents or children to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

SOLUTION: Nyumbani Village now provides a family-like setting for orphaned children under the stewardship of elderly adults and ensures that the children receive love, sustenance, health-care, holistic education and culture transfer while providing holistic care and support for the grandparents in their later years

ACTION:

Secured Kenyan government allocation of 1,000 acres of land

Sought, wrote and secured grants to construct residential buildings, clinics and schools

Performed community outreach through non-government agencies to secure safe and healthy living environments

PROBLEM: Nearly 100 orphans and elders were left behind after losing their parents or children to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

SOLUTION: Ntokozweni Village now provides a family-like setting for orphaned children under the stewardship of elderly adults and ensures that the children receive love, sustenance, health-care, holistic education and culture transfer while providing holistic care and support for the grandparents in their later years.

ACTION:

Worked with the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund to build Ntokozweni Village

Financed construction of residential buildings

Performed community outreach through non-government agencies to secure safe and healthy living environments

Developed and executed a business plan for a sustainable chicken and cow farm

Developed and executed a business plan for selling locally produced products

EXIT: Left the community with self sustaining agriculture, farming and retail services, providing jobs and economic recovery.

Partnered with Nyumbani Founder, Father Angelo D’Agositino to oversee project development

Financed construction of 15-room apartment complex

EXIT: Nyumbani Volunteer House now attracts thousands of volunteers from around the world and realizes an occupancy rate of nearly 100%. To learn on how you can volunteer and stay at Nyumbani please visit: http://www.nyumbani.org/volunteer.htm